London gets safer for cyclists

The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on the roads of London have dropped in the last ten years.

According to a report from Transport for London, death and serious injury has reduced by 3,000 in the last decade, with a three per cent drop for cyclists – from 567 to 445. The figures for 2008 have exceeded government targets.

Cycle safety has been a priority for TfL over the past year. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “In particular, we are working hard to tackle the specific issue of collisions between cyclists and goods vehicles.

“Fifteen thousand special ‘fresnal’ lenses to improve the visibility of lorry drivers are being issued, and another 5,000 await distribution, and we are working with the Metropolitan Police to run cycle safety awareness days for Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers and cyclists.”

TfL also confirmed that £45m is to be spent on road safety schemes in 2009 and 2010.

Chris Lines, TfL’s head of London road safety unit, said: “’There were 18 fewer lives lost on London’s roads this year and 240 fewer serious injuries. This is very good news, but road deaths and injuries are unnecessary and avoidable and devastate hundreds of families each year, so there is much more work to be done.”

Johnson added: “A great deal of hard work is put into making the Capital’s roads safer and these latest figures provide a welcome indication that things are improving.

“I thank everyone who has played a part in that but I can assure Londoners that our road safety experts have lost none of their zeal to make our roads safer still.

“Our aim over the next twelve months will be yet further improvements and even less injuries.”